For Honey: Death Be Not Proud

Susan Isaacs July 26th, 2010

"It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch." – Chaim Stern

This is a eulogy to a pet. If you are not inclined to maudlin pet tributes nor have room in your theology for pets in heaven, then save me the embarrassment and yourself the frustration, and give this piece a skip.

My dearest cat died on Sunday. Honey was 13 years old. I'd held out hope she would be one of those cats that made it to 18. But even if she had, it wouldn't have been enough time. Not fo … (Read More)

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Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide? - Karen Spears Zacharias on SBE (Re-Air)

Erik Guzman July 23rd, 2010

From The Secret to prosperity gospel preachers, we're told that our thoughts and actions can attract good things to us. Muster up enough good vibrations or faith in God and you can be healthy, wealthy and wise. But when the formula doesn't work, where does that leave the faithful?

Join us as we talk about that with Karen Spears Zacharias, author of Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide?: ('Cause I Need More Room for My Plasma TV). Karen writes,

"I know without question that Go … (Read More)

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The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Watching Theology July 21st, 2010

Loved by millions, generation after generation, The Wizard of Oz remains a symbol of the wonder film can inspire. It is the magical tale of a poor farm girl brought to a Technicolor land of munchkins, witches, and flying monkeys. The story has the power to likewise transport the viewer "over the rainbow" into a land of possibility. And now, all that's over. In this episode Joe and Duke conclude their "Cave" series by looking at how The Wizard of Oz is just another tale o … (Read More)

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Faith and the ‘One and Done’ Tradition

Terry Mattingly July 21st, 2010

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why so many mainstream journalists do not want to write about the practical implications of the choices made by liberal religious believers and even those of skeptics. While coverage of religious conservatives (much of it inaccurate or simply simplistic) consumes oceans of ink, the fine details of the lives of liberal believers are rarely examined.

Consider, for example, that recent Time magazine cover story that ran with the headline, "The Only Child … (Read More)

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Liberating Black Theology - Dr. Anthony Bradley on SBE (Re-Air)

Erik Guzman July 16th, 2010

Dr. Anthony Bradley joins us on this week's Steve Brown Etc. to talk about his new book, Liberating Black Theology: The Bible and the Black Experience in America. Listen as we discuss the "victimology" theme within black liberation theology and its long-standing spiritual and social implications.

(If you're on the front page of the site, click "Read More" to see audio player options.)

Dr. Anthony Bradley is Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at The Kingâ … (Read More)

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A State of Mediocrity?

Steve Brown July 15th, 2010

This morning, I read and graded "integration" papers from a course for Doctor of Ministry students at the seminary. The course was titled: Thriving & Surviving Pastoral Ministry.

I just finished reading the paper of one of my pastor students who wrote (referring to me):

The class helped me think about surviving and thriving. I like Steve. I like his attitude about the ministry. He has survived well. And he has thrived, it would seem. He has served churches, written books, had a ra … (Read More)

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